Three charged for UK spouse visa crimes

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) officers received intelligence regarding a wedding between a Slovakian woman and a Pakistan national. Following the information, they interrupted the marriage ceremony at Belfast City Hall.

Kasif Ali, a 22-year-old Pakistan national, was playing the part of a groom in the wedding. He has an address in Glasgow but was found to be in possession of a UK student visa for a college in London, which it is alleged he failed to attend.

As a result, the man now has one charge of obtaining leave to remain by deception for the student visa and a further charge of seeking to obtain leave to remain by deception for his attempt to obtain a UK spouse visa.

Meanwhile, the bride was 22-year-old Veronkia Dzurikovk, who lives in Athlone Country Westmeath. She has been charged with assisting unlawful immigration, as has 39-year-old Asif Nasair, from Glasgow, who was also involved in the case.

Earl Aiken, senior criminal investigator for the UKBA, commented: “These arrests are the result of intensive investigations into suspected sham marriages across the whole of Northern Ireland by our team of specialist immigration officers.